SMITH Electric Vehicles will play a key role in a Government initiative to place more electric vans on UK roads.
If the early stage trials are successful, this could lead to widespread subsidies for public- sector procurement of battery- powered vans.
Yesterday’s announcement comes a day after Smith was chosen as part of a consortium also including Nissan, to develop and trial electric vehicles in the North-East.
Smith, part of the Washington- based Tanfield Group, will supply the UK Government’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVP). The LCVP is a provider of subsidies to procure electric and low carbon vans. The company, which will supply the Smith Edison, based on the Ford Transit, is one of three suppliers delivering a maximum of 150 electric vans to 12 public sector bodies, including the Royal Mail and local authorities, including Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.
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